ASUS Wireless-AC2900 RT-AC86U Gaming Router Review
Bohs Hansen / 6 years ago
A Closer Look at the Hardware
Now that we know what it can do, let us take a closer look at the router itself.
Front View
The front is easily identified as an ASUS product, and not just because of the name. The base design resembles an owl or demon, depending on how you look at it. The sharp edges and red eyes give it an aggressive yet simple look.
The only feature which we find on the front is the row of LEDs. Each LAN and the WAN port have their own, and there’s one for each of the Wi-Fi bands too. The last is a power/status LED.
Rear Side View
Turning it around and we get a great look at all the connection options, buttons, and other features. To the right, you get four Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 LAN ports. To the left is the Gigabit RJ45 WAN port next to a USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 port. The USB ports are relatively close, but not so close that you should have trouble with larger USB thumb drives. In the middle, between all the ports, is the button to turn all the LEDs off. This could be useful in media environments or bedrooms where you don’t want flashing lights to annoy you. All the way to the left is the power connector, the power button, and the rest button.
The general information about the router is also found here. That’s all written in the middle of the device. From serial number and MAC address, to firmware version and name. It’s all there.
Side View
There are two sides to every story, and there also are two sides on a router. The one is completely empty with nothing worth mentioning.
On the other side, you find the Wi-Fi control buttons. You can turn the whole Wi-Fi part on and off and you also get a WPS button for one-touch Wi-Fi connections with compatible devices.
Top View
The three antenna ports are located at the top of the router. They are default connectors which will allow you to mount aftermarket antennas too, should you wish to do so. The included should be plenty for most people, so it isn’t really anything to worry about.
Bottom View
The bottom has two long rubber pads for a firm placement. They go from one side to the other, making sure that the router stays where you place it. There’s another small rubber pad in the middle.
Power Supply
The included power supply delivers 19V and 1.75A, which equals to about 33W. More than enough for a router such as this.
The plugs are removeable and replacable. While it’s easy to switch them, they still have a secure and firm mounting.
